Abby Lipscomb

Staff Writer

atl5355@psu.edu

Finally, the internet has recently brought some good into the world. Last Monday, January 17, a new challenge arose on Twitter spread across the internet like wildfire and raised about $12.7 million for animal shelters and rescues all over the country. It is absolutely amazing that these proceeds will benefit so many furry friends. Though, none of this would’ve happened without the influence of America’s TV grandma, Betty White. 

With an acting career that spanned over six decades, White was beloved by generations.  Best known for her love of animals and various roles, my favorite being Rose in The Golden Girls, and her own television shows, The Betty White Show and the most fitting for the current internet trend, The Pet Set. Her passing this past New Year’s Eve was devastating to many all over the country and some parts of the world, but her impact on society really showed in the last month as an internet trend challenge was created in her name, the #BettyWhiteChallenge.

The new challenge began trending on social media after a Twitter user commented about it on Ryan Reynolds’ remembrance post of White. Though it’s unknown if the commenter actually created the challenge or not, people were quick to rally behind the idea. 

The proposal in question was for people to donate money to their local animal shelters and rescues on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, January 17th, because of her immense love for animals.

Overall, I think this was a nice way to pay tribute to a late icon and as someone with two rescue dogs of my own, it’s great to see people support these organizations and have them get more attention in general. There are a lot of potential positives from this recent focus on shelters. There could possibly be a rise in adoption rates or there might be more people willing to foster animals. Both of which would be even better than just donations as it would give permanent and temporary homes to deserving animals living in these rescues. 

Though, with benefits there also comes some possible downsides to all this attention. This trend could also bring a rise in animals being adopted then returned to shelters or furry companions not being properly taken care of  as irresponsible people took in pets they weren’t prepared for. Hopefully, the good overrides the potential bad.